Livestock export ship due in Napier after Government ban lifted

The extra requirements from an independent review follows the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 in September. Photo / Tony des Landes

Just under two months since a livestock export ship left Napier Port and sank near Japan, another live export vessel is due to leave the port next week transporting stock to China.

A Napier Port spokesperson confirmed that the Yangtze Fortune will arrive at the port on Tuesday, November 3 at 6am.

It's thought it will be of the first livestock ships to leave New Zealand since a ban was introduced after the Gulf Livestock 1 capsized in the East China Sea on September 2, with 41 crew and 6000 New Zealand cattle on board.

Following the tragedy the Government enacted a temporary ban on live exports, which expired on October 23 but a "conditional prohibition" remained in place until the end of November when MPI will have discretion to consider applications for Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC) applications for livestock exports.

Yangtze Fortune is travelling from Australia and will be loading livestock before it heads to China, a port spokesperson said.

The timing of the arrival/departure may still change.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has introduced extra requirements including restricting stock numbers to 90 per cent of current limits; requirements for voyage reporting, including daily veterinary reports during voyages and increased minimum fodder requirements ensuring at least 20 per cent of feed is available for unplanned delays.

It also includes focused maritime inspection of livestock carrier ships entering New Zealand to transport livestock by Maritime New Zealand as an additional safeguard

The increased requirements follow the independent review into the animal welfare assurances MPI receives from exporters, led by Mike Heron QC and supported by Rear Admiral Tony Parr.

Animal rights group SAFE has been vocal in opposing live exports and will be organising a protest for when the ship arrives in Napier, the details of which are currently being worked through.

SAFE CEO Debra Ashton, who took part in the review, said while she understands the scope of the review focused on live export voyages, the new requirements are tinkering around the edges

SAFE campaigns manager Bianka Atlas said they are "seriously concerned about what will happen to these animals in the destination country".

"It's important to note that these animals will eventually be slaughtered in their destination, potentially by methods that have been outlawed in New Zealand.

"Action on live export is long overdue, and the new Labour-led Government will be completely misreading the mood of the nation if they don't ban live export."

A review of live animal export which was ordered in 2019 is yet to be released.

The ministry said it will provide advice to the new government once it is formed and then ministers can make decisions.